so ever since i transferred my 45 over to my 75 gallon, my corals have not really adjusted or looked the same. well i think i figured out why just got back from the LFS and got my calcium tested and its at 200 which i know is well below the norm. i am currently using instant ocean salt mix and i think this might be my problem, do you guys think if i go to a higher grade salt my corals will turn around? also i had Coraline algae growing all over the back glass but it turns white, i know this is from the lack of calcium in my tank. when i get it back up will the Coraline grow back? and one last question which is the title of this thread, which salt do you guys recommend i use i am going away to florida for a week on wed so i am going to have to wait till i get back but once i get back i want to buy a new salt and do a water change with it right away.
salt recommendations
- Thread starter Jarrett
- Start date
- Location
- bergen county
How often do u do water changes
Sent from my DROIDX using Reefs
Sent from my DROIDX using Reefs
- Location
- patchogue long island
i change my water every week, usually i do 10 gallons i will prob up it to 15 gallons. and i am a college student so i am not trying to break the bank ya know. i was recommended to use tropic marine pro? hows that stuff are their any other good salts that arent 80$ a bucket lol
- Location
- port jefferson sta, NY
try reef crystals, i used it for years never a problem...im trying out esv now..mixes great, but a bit of a pain in the ass.
how much is a bucket of reef crystals. and do you guys think once i get a better salt my calcium will jump back up. also will i be able to do my next water change with the new salt without a problem? i heard something that if i switch to a new salt right away it can shock the system
- Location
- Long Island, NY
So are you using instant ocean sea salt (purple bucket) or instant ocean reef crystals (orange bucket)? Reef crystals is definitely decent stuff and cheaper than the high end salts...but I still recommend ESV over anything else. I was gonna try out tropic marin, but people on MR nudged me back towards ESV. I tried out the brightwell neomarine salt, not bad but it should be used in a large system with small water changes multiple times a week IMO due to low dKH (7.3) and Ca+ (413ppm) which get depleted fast..dKH below 7 is not good...and should always be kept as stable as possible. ESV is cost efficient when you do the math...less supplementation required.
- Location
- Long Island, NY
Ohh and btw, check all your parameters before you start dumping in calcium...especially Mg and dKH
- Location
- port jefferson sta, NY
I buy the reef crystals at aqua-hut....i buy a couple boxes at a clip, they come in the 200 gal size, not sure how much it costs, but its not expensive like some of the other salts.
Wow definitely found the problem there. That's why soft corals were doing well and not the stony corals.
I like reef crystals also. It's only a few dollars more. I thought about ESV but, to be honest, there are great tanks out there that use regular salt.
I also supplement with a two part.
I like reef crystals also. It's only a few dollars more. I thought about ESV but, to be honest, there are great tanks out there that use regular salt.
I also supplement with a two part.
i just got my alk and calcium checked i didn't check the mag, but the alk was fine the guy said it was at 7 i believe. but the calcium was deff low at 200. and i don't dose anything i really don't have the money to start investing in dosing and getting pumps and all that also don't really have the time. i am kind of relying on the salt to do that work for me which may be foolish i know. and i am using the purple bucket. if it means my stuff will become stable and at the right params ill invest in the better salt rather then settling for the cheap stuff so i might give jafticas recommendation a try and see how the reef crystals go, or tropic marine will see.
yea i only have softies because of my puffer imbarrie, so i am hoping the new salt will turn them around. nothing is close to being dead yet i can happily say that but i am sure if i didn't catch this sooner it would of been a problem down the road. i hope they make it through the week i am gone ok.
i am kind of confused maybe you guys can explain, i thought all salts were pre measured to have all the correct trace elements to maintain stable calcium alk and mag. am i suppose to be looking for a specific amount of each that the salt contains?
- Location
- port jefferson sta, NY
All the elements are usually printed on the packaging, however that is at a specific salinity and temperature. also trace element levels, and calcium, alk, mag get depleted as coraline algae, and corals use it up. you should test water more often, and supplement as needed, if needed...never dose without testing first.
i have a bunch of friends that have never dosed anything and their tanks run and look great with just consistent water changes. i hope changing the salt helps my problem cause if i have to get into dosing i might have to retire from reef keeping for awhile lol. this new salt is already going to break my bank. i am to young i need a better paying job
- Location
- port jefferson sta, NY
you will be fine with 10 gal water change, Ive changed more than that when switching salts without adverse affects. you should test water after your water change, and test it before your next water change, this way you know what your tank is using. and then u can dose accordingly. maybee just as simple is dripping some kalkwasser, or maybee nothing at all. post results when you check it out.
You will be fine
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